Canon's Three New Entry-Level Flash Memory Camcorders - FS22, FS21, and FS200

The new Canon FS22

Canon announced three new standard definition camcorders today. Two, the FS22 and the FS21, offer media options of internal flash memory and a card slot, along with a 1.07-megapixel CCD, and the return of a 48x Advanced Zoom (37x optical zoom). The FS200 records to memory card only, with a 680,000-pixel CCD and a 41x Advanced Zoom (37x optical zoom). (View Photo Gallery)

The three new camcorders will replace last year's models, the FS10, FS11, and FS100, and include several new features. The Video Snapshot mode records sequences of 4-second clips. WAV files can then be added as a soundtrack to create a video collage-effect. The new Pre-Record function uses cache memory to capture three seconds of video before the record button is hit.


 

Canon FS21

All new Canon standard definition flash camcorders include a new Quick Charge battery. Ten minutes of charging allows for up to 20 minutes of recording, and 20 minutes of charging allows up to 60 minutes of recording.

The FS22, FS21, and FS200 are all equipped with a 1/6-inch CCD. However, the pixel density is higher on the upper-tier models, the FS21 and FS22, which allows for the higher Advanced zoom. All three have the DIGIC DVII processor.

Canon FS200, in red

The FS21 includes 16GB of internal flash memory, which stores up to 3 hours of video in the highest quality. The FS22 has 32GB of storage, for up to 7 hours in the highest quality. The FS200 has no internal memory, but is the only model that is available in multiple colors: red, blue, and silver. All the camcorders offer the option to record to SD/SDHC memory cards.

No pricing plans have been announced for Canon's 2009 line.

(View Photo Gallery)